In a Xinhua interview at the first China-Africa Public Health Forum in Guangzhou, UNICEF's George Laryea-Adjei said deeper China-Africa health cooperation can lower child mortality and build robust African health systems. Twenty-two of 36 countries failing the under-five mortality SDG target are African. He highlighted China's experience in maternal-newborn care, health insurance, lab capacity and local production, and called for expanded South-South collaboration to help African children survive, thrive and fulfil their potential.